Fabric for use as a lining material

ABSTRACT

A fabric for use as a lining material woven from warp and weft strands contains at least one segment in which all the warp strands are woven together, and at least one other segment in which the warp strands are divided into groups and woven separately. If the divided segment of the fabric is both preceded and followed by a unified section, the divided section intrinsically forms a transversal channel in the fabric. This fabric is well suited for use as a window covering. Window coverings often require transversal stiffening members to ensure that the fabric folds correctly upon opening and closing. Stiffeners can be inserted into the channels formed during the weaving process, without any additional processing of the fabric.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a fabric for use as alining material and more particularly but not exclusively to fabrics andlining materials for use as window coverings.

The window shade industry has developed many methods and apparatus forcovering windows that provide privacy and thermal insulation while beingaesthetically pleasing. Such window coverings should be capable of beingraised and lowered as access to the window and other factors dictate. Itwould be advantageous to provide a window covering fabric that can beassembled into a blind or shade with little additional processing.

One attempt to provide such a window covering is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. Re. 30,254 to Rasmussen. Rasmussen shows a honeycomb curtainstructure that operates as a venetian-type window cover. Rasmussenaccomplished this by forming a curtain structure from a series offoldable cells adhered together. Each cell has opposed side portions anda connected part. Thus, when the cells are connected, the top and bottomconnected portions of each cell form the lamellae or slats of thevenetian type structure. The features of the slat structure are limitedby all the other requirements of the cell construction.

Another attempt to provide such a venetian-type window covering isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,591 to Froget. Froget shows a compositecloth, which may be used as a blind. When the cloth is used as a blind,it is comprised of two transparent sheets connected by movable andopaque blades, which are, parallel to one another and are regularlyseparated and welded to the sheets. Welding or bonding the edges ofthese blades or slats is difficult to accomplish and the features of theslats are compromised to that end.

Colson in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,553 and Moser in his German Patent No. DE3525515 A1 show slats inserted into pockets formed by portions of thefront and back layers. Although this allows for a different selection ofmaterials for the slat than in Froget and Rasmussen, it is still limitedby the necessity or difficulty of sliding a slat into a long narrowpocket.

Judkins in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,504 provides a honeycomb window coveringstructure that operates as a venetian. Judkins' window coveringstructure has two sheets of material. The sheets are spaced apart andare oriented so as to be generally parallel to one another. A series ofelongated slats or threads connects the first and second sheets ofmaterial. Judkins' material requires significant processing to the twosheets of material in order to form them into a honeycomb structure.

Fernandez Lopez in U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,392 describes a woven fabric foruse as a shade in a roller blind which is rolled and unrolled, the wovenfabric including a continuous flexible woven sheet. The sheet includes aplurality of bands extending across the sheet in a transverse directionand integrally woven therewith. Each band includes a front ply having aninner surface and an outer surface which forms part of the front surfaceof the sheet, and a rear ply having an inner surface and an outersurface which forms part of the rear surface of the sheet, the outersurface of the rear ply being provided with at least one openingdisposed proximate at least one of the side edges and adapted to allowthe insertion of a rod therethrough. The front and rear plies are spacedapart from each other to form a pocket between their respective innersurfaces, the pocket being adapted to accommodate the rod. A pair oftransverse cords, integrally woven with the rear ply, are disposed inthe center of the outer surface of the rear ply. The pair of cords arespaced apart from the rear ply in at least one location to form at leastone eyelet having an opening adapted to allow the passage of a threadtherethrough. The fabric may also include a wide lower band for holdinga weight. An upper portion of the sheet may have a hook and/or loopmember that is integrally woven in the sheet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric for use as a lining material, wherein the fabricis woven from warp and weft strands, comprising:

-   -   at least one regular section in which the warp strands are woven        together; and,    -   at least one pocket section in which the warp strands are        divided into at least two groups, wherein each group of warp        strands is woven separately.        One embodiment further comprises at least one stiffener located        within the pocket section. Another embodiment comprises the        fabric in use as a lining material. An additional embodiment        further comprises at least one loop woven on the pocket section,        having drawstrings associated with the loops. In an additional        embodiment the stiffener is removably located within the pocket        section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a fabric for use as a lining material, comprising fibers in afirst direction woven between fibers in a second perpendicular directionwherein for a section of the fabric, some of the fibers in the firstdirection are separated from others of the fibers in the first directionand separately woven with different fibers in the second perpendiculardirection, thereby to form a doubled section of the woven fabric. Oneembodiment further comprises at least one stiffener located within thedoubled section. Another embodiment comprises the fabric in use as alining material. An additional embodiment further comprises at least oneloop woven on the doubled section, having drawstrings associated withthe loops. In an additional embodiment the stiffener is removablylocated within the doubled section.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric having warp strands, comprising:

-   -   at least one regular section in which the warp strands are woven        together;    -   at least one pocket section in which the warp strands are        divided into at least two groups, wherein each group of warp        strands is woven separately; and,    -   at least one closed shape defined by stitching on one layer of        the pocket section, such that the closed shape is cuttable        without degrading the integrity of the fabric.        One embodiment further comprises at least one loop woven on the        pocket section, having drawstrings associated with the loops. In        another embodiment the closed shape is operable to define a        place of insertion of a stiffener into the pocket section.        Another embodiment further comprises at least one stiffener,        wherein the stiffeners are insertable into the pocket through an        opening cuttable within the closed shape. In an embodiment the        pocket is sealed on both edges of the woven fabric. A further        embodiment is for the fabric in use as a window covering.        Another embodiment further comprises more than one closed shape        defined by stitching on at least one layer of the pocket        section, wherein the closed shapes are operable to provide        places of insertion of stiffeners into the pocket section.

In an additional embodiment, the woven fabric further comprises morethan one stiffener, insertable into the pocket through openings cut inthe closed shapes. In an additional embodiment the fabric is bendable atleast one of the intersections between adjacent stiffeners. Oneembodiment of this fabric is in use as a window covering. In a furtherembodiment the fabric has two lengthwise edges, wherein the pocket issealed on both lengthwise edges of the woven fabric.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric having warp strands, comprising:

-   -   at least one regular section in which the warp strands are woven        together; and,    -   at least one pocket section in which the warp strands are        divided into at least two groups, wherein each group of warp        strands is woven separately, wherein the warp strands of at        least one region continuous with the pocket section are woven        together without being divided into groups.        One embodiment further comprises at least one loop woven on the        pocket section, having drawstrings associated with the loops.        Another embodiment further comprises a stiffener insertable into        the at least one pocket section. An additional embodiment is for        the fabric in use as a window covering.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric comprising fibers in a first direction wovenbetween fibers in a second perpendicular direction wherein for a sectionof the fabric, some of the fibers in the first direction are separatedfrom others of the fibers in the first direction and separately wovenwith different fibers in the second perpendicular direction, thereby toform a doubled section of the woven fabric, and wherein for at least onesegment continuous with the doubled section in the second direction thefibers of the first direction are woven so as to form a single layer offabric. An embodiment further comprises at least one loop woven on thedoubled section, and having drawstrings associated with the loops. Anembodiment further comprises a stiffener insertable into the at leastone doubled section. An additional embodiment is for the fabric in useas a window covering.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric comprising fibers in a first direction wovenbetween fibers in a second perpendicular direction wherein for a sectionof the fabric, some of the fibers in the first direction are separatedfrom others of the fibers in the first direction and separately wovenwith different fibers in the second perpendicular direction, thereby toform a doubled section of the woven fabric, and wherein at least oneclosed shape is defined by stitching on one layer of the pocket section,such that the closed shape is cuttable without degrading the integrityof the fabric. An embodiment further comprises at least one loop wovenon the doubled section, and having drawstrings associated with theloops. In an embodiment the closed shape is operable to define a placefor insertion of a stiffener into the doubled section. An embodimentfurther comprises at least one stiffener insertable into the at leastone doubled section through an opening cuttable within the closed shape.In another embodiment the doubled section is sealed on both edges of thewoven fabric. An additional embodiment is for the fabric in use as awindow covering.

Another embodiment further comprises more than one closed shape stitchedonto one layer of the doubled section, wherein the closed shapes areoperable to provide places of insertion of stiffeners into the pocketsection. Another embodiment further comprises more than one stiffener,insertable into the doubled section through openings cut in the closedshapes. An additional embodiment is for a woven fabric that is bendableat least one of the intersections between adjacent stiffeners. Anotherembodiment is for such a fabric in use as a window covering. In anotherembodiment the doubled section is sealed on both lengthwise edges of thewoven fabric.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a woven fabric comprising at least one stiffening memberattached thereto by hook and loop fastener, the fastener having a firstelement associated with the fabric and a second element associated withthe stiffening member. In one embodiment the stiffening members areattached to the fabric in a transversal direction. In another embodimentthe second hook and loop fastener element is an integral part of thestiffening members. In a different embodiment the second hook and loopfastener element is attached to the stiffening member. In one embodimentthe first hook and loop fastener element is an integral part of thefabric. In another embodiment first hook and loop fastener element isattached to the fabric. In a further embodiment the length of thestiffening member is substantially larger than the radial dimension ofthe stiffening member.

One embodiment is for such a fabric in use as a window covering. In oneembodiment the fabric is mounted on a window such that the stiffeningmembers are aligned substantially horizontally. In another embodiment,the fabric has two lengthwise edges, wherein a hem is formed on at leastone of the lengthwise edges of the fabric, and wherein at least one endof the stiffening member is located within an opening in the hem,thereby attaching the member more firmly to the fabric. Anotherembodiment is for such a fabric with hems in use as a window covering.In one embodiment the fabric is mounted on a window such that thestiffening members are aligned substantially horizontally.

In one embodiment a fabric has the stiffening element is located on afront of the fabric. Another embodiment further comprises at least oneloop woven on a back of the fabric, and having drawstrings associatedwith the loops. In one embodiment a fabric has the stiffening element islocated on a back of the fabric. Another embodiment further comprises atleast one hook attached to the stiffening element, wherein the hooks areoperable to have drawstrings passed through them.

In another embodiment, the fabric comprises a plurality of stiffeningmembers aligned to form a stiffened axis with at least one break acrossthe fabric. An additional embodiment is for a fabric that is bendable atleast one break between adjacent stiffening members. Another embodimentis for such a fabric in use as a window covering.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a method of forming a lining material, comprising the steps of:

-   -   weaving a fabric from warp and weft strands;    -   separating a segment of the warp into at least two groups of        warp strands;    -   continuing the fabric by weaving each group of warp strands        separately for a predetermined length;    -   recombining the groups of warp strands into a single warp; and,    -   continuing to weave the fabric, thereby forming a pocket in the        fabric.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a method of forming a stiffened fabric, comprising the stepsof:

-   -   weaving a fabric from warp and weft strands;    -   separating a segment of the warp into at least two groups of        warp strands;    -   continuing the fabric by weaving each group of warp strands        separately for a predetermined length;    -   recombining the groups of warp strands into a single warp; and,    -   continuing to weave the fabric, thereby forming a pocket in the        fabric;    -   stitching at least one closed shape onto one layer of the pocket        section;    -   cutting within the stitched shape to create an opening in the        fabric; and,    -   inserting a stiffener through the opening.        One embodiment further comprises the steps of:    -   stitching more than one closed shape onto one layer of the        pocket section;    -   cutting within the stitched shapes to create openings in the        fabric; and,    -   inserting more than one stiffener through the opening.        Another embodiment further comprises the step of:    -   bending the fabric between adjacent stiffeners to form an angled        fabric.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is thusprovided a method of forming a stiffened fabric, comprising the stepsof:

-   -   aligning a stiffening member, which stiffening member has a hook        and loop fastener element thereon, across a fabric, which fabric        has at least one segment of a second side of a hook and loop        fastener element thereon; and,    -   pressing the stiffening member to the fabric so that the hook        and loop fasteners adhere, thereby attaching the stiffening        member to the fabric.        In one embodiment the second hook and loop fastener element is        an integral part of the fabric, created as part of the fabric        when the fabric is formed. In another embodiment the second hook        and loop fastener element is attached to the fabric. In one        embodiment the hook and loop fastener element is an integral        part of the stiffening member, created as part of the stiffening        member when the stiffening member is formed. In another        embodiment the hook and loop fastener element is attached to the        stiffening member.

An additional embodiment further comprises the steps of:

-   -   aligning a plurality of stiffening members, which stiffening        members have at least one hook and loop fastener element        thereon, transversally across a fabric, which fabric has at        least one segment of the second side of a hook and loop fastener        element thereon; and,    -   pressing the aligned stiffening members to the fabric so that        the hook and loop fastener elements adhere, thereby attaching        the stiffening members across the fabric.        An additional embodiment further comprises the step of:    -   bending the fabric at least one of the intersections between        adjacent stiffening members to form an angled fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b illustrate back and side views respectively of a priorart material consisting of a backing and attached strips formingtransversal channels or pockets.

FIG. 2 illustrates a woven fabric in which a section of the fabric isdivided and woven separately.

FIG. 3 illustrates a material in which a section of divided fabric isboth preceded and succeeded by a section of unified fabric.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of a single piece of woven fabriccontaining a channel or pocket.

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a fabric with woven channels, inwhich the channel does not extend for the entire width of the fabric.

FIG. 6 illustrates a woven fabric with pockets with closed areas ofstitching on the pocket.

FIG. 7 illustrates a woven fabric with pockets in which the pocketstitching is cut open in order to insert a stiffener into the pocket.

FIG. 8 illustrates a woven fabric with pocket stitching in which theedges of the fabric are closed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a woven fabric with pockets in which the pocketstitching is cut open in several locations in order to insert severalstiffeners into the pocket.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b illustrate an above view of an angled windowcovering formed from a material containing several stiffeners.

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a cross-section of a fabric withstiffeners attached to it by hook and loop fastener.

FIG. 12 is a simplified illustration of a stiffening member with a hookattached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, which illustrate back andside views respectively of a prior art window covering material.Transversal channels 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c allow stiffening members to beinserted. As shown in FIG. 1 a, the channels are created by attachingstrips 2 a, 2 b, and 2 c to a backing material 1. The strips areattached to the backing by, for example, stitching them together orgluing them together with an adhesive. The strips are not an inherentpart of the backing material, and some process must be used to connectthem together to form the channels.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows a preferred embodiment fora fabric according to this invention. A fabric 10 is formed byinterweaving warp 4 and weft 7 strands as above. The warp 4 is formed ofnumerous strands, where the number of strands depicted is by way ofexample only. The weft 7 is woven through these strands, thereby forminga fabric. The fabric is woven in this manner for a predetermined length,and then the warp strands are separated into groups 5 and 6 of alternatestrands. The number of groups and the manner of dividing the warpstrands shown are for example only, although in practice two groupswould generally be used, which two groups extend over the entire widthof the fabric. Each group of warp strands is woven separately. Forexample, warp 5 is woven with weft 8 whereas warp 6 is woven with weft9, thereby forming a doubled section of the woven fabric. The number oflayers formed depends on the manner in which the warp strands aredivided.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates the formation of apocket section within the fabric. The warp strands are woven togetherfor a predetermined length 11, divided and woven separately for apredetermined length 12, and then united and woven together for apredetermined length 13, thereby forming a channel 14 within the wovenfabric, where the number of channels and the manner of dividing the warpstrands shown in the drawing are for example only and in practice thechannel may extend for the width of the fabric.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which shows a side view of a wovenfabric 16 with integral channels 15 a and 15 b, as described above. Thisfabric may be used as a lining material for any fabric, and isparticularly suitable for use as a window covering such as a roman shadethat requires transversal stiffeners. Generally the lining material isattached to a decorative fabric, but it can be attached to any fabric.In one embodiment the lining material is glued to the fabric. In anotherembodiment the lining material is sewn on to the fabric.

The stiffeners can be inserted into the integral channels formed duringthe weaving process, without requiring further processing to attachexternal strips to the fabric. The stiffening element can be made from avariety of materials, for example, metal, plastic or wood.

When the fabric of this embodiment is used for a blind requiringdrawstrings, such as a roman blind, loops may be integrally woven ontothe pocket section of the fabric for the drawstring to go through.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified illustration ofanother embodiment of a fabric 15 with woven channels 16, in which thechannel 16 does not extend for the entire width of the fabric. In thisembodiment, a section of the warp strands continuous with the channel isnot divided prior to weaving with the weft strands. In this section asingle layer is woven. This single layer section provides another pointof access 17 for insertion of the stiffening elements into the channel.This point of access 17 is useful in cases in which the lengthwise edgesof the fabric are hemmed or otherwise sealed. In these cases thestiffeners cannot be inserted through the openings at the edge of thefabric and an alternate opening must be created to enable stiffenerinsertion.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified illustration of awoven fabric 20 with pocket 22. The pocket 22 comprises a closed area24, which is defined by stitching 26 on the periphery thereof, thestitching preferably being integrally made onto one layer of pocket 22.Area 24 is shaped rectangularly, for purposes of example, but can be inany closed shape. In this embodiment, the closed area within thestitching is cut open, thereby enabling the insertion of the stiffenerthrough the hole that is thereby formed. The type of stitch used to formthe closed shape is selected so that cutting an opening within the shapedoes not lead to tearing or unraveling of the woven fabric. Preferablythe stitching 26 is introduced during the weaving stage, and may be anintegral part of the weave.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified illustration of awoven fabric 30 with lateral pockets 34 with stitching 36 on thesepockets. As described above, some of the pockets 34 have been opened 38,and a stiffener 40 is inserted via such an opening.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified illustration of awoven material 50 with pocket stitching 52 in which the edges of thematerial 54 56 are hemmed or otherwise sealed. In this embodiment, thepockets 58 in the material are sealed from the edges. In thisembodiment, stiffeners cannot be inserted from the edges of the fabric.Stiffener access into the pockets is through openings in the stitchedarea.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified illustration of awoven material 60 with pocket stitching 62. Several stitched areas 64.164.2 have been opened in a single pocket, and stiffeners 66.1 66.2 havebeen inserted into the openings. In this embodiment, more than onestiffener, where the number of stiffeners is for example only, isinserted into each pocket, thereby forming a supported fabric that canbe angled or bent. This embodiment is suited for use as a windowcovering for angled, curved, or bay windows.

FIGS. 10 a and 10 b show a simplified view from above of a fabricaccording to the above embodiment. The fabrics have been angled intoseveral sections, where the number of sections is for example only. Inpractice, the number of sections is determined by the number ofstiffeners inserted into each pocket.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified illustration ofa cross-section of another embodiment of a stiffened fabric, in whichthe stiffeners are attached to the fabric with hook and loop fastener.Stiffener 72 has a hook and loop fastener element 70 on at least onesurface of the stiffener 72. Such a stiffening element 72 is generallyelongated. A hook and loop fastener element of the opposite type 74 isattached in the desired direction to fabric 76. The stiffener 72 isattached to the fabric 76 by pressing it to the fabric 76, so that thehook and loop fastener elements 70 and 74 connect.

In the preferred embodiment the hook and loop fastener element 70 is anintegral part of the stiffener 72, and is created during the stiffener72 manufacturing process. In another embodiment the hook and loopfastener element 70 is not an integral part of the stiffener, but isattached to the stiffener 72 by some other means, such as gluing orstapling.

The hook and loop fastener element on the fabric has similarembodiments. In the preferred embodiment the hook and loop fastenerelement 74 is an integral part of the fabric 76, and is created duringthe weaving process. In another embodiment the hook and loop fastenerelement 74 is not an integral part of the fabric 76, but is attached tothe fabric 76 by some other means, such as gluing or sewing.

When the stiffener is attached to the fabric using hook and loopfastener, the stiffeners may be easily removed for cleaning the fabric.The fabric may be used as the body of a blind or as a lining materialfor any fabric requiring stiffening members.

In an additional embodiment a hem is sewn along the length of fabric,and the stiffening element inserted into pockets in the hem. Thisstrengthens the attachment of the fabric to the stiffener.

In one preferred embodiment the stiffening members are attached to thefront of the fabric. The stiffening members serve as decorativeelements, and may be made from a variety of materials, for examplepolyurethane or wood, and in a variety of colors and patterns. When thefabric of this embodiment is used for a blind requiring drawstrings,such as a roman blind, loops may be integrally woven into the rear ofthe fabric for the drawstring to go through.

In another embodiment, the stiffeners are attached to the rear of thefabric. The fabric of this embodiment can be used independently, or as alining material for another fabric.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a simplified illustration ofa stiffening member 90 with hooks 92.1 and 92.2 attached. When thefabric of the embodiment with rear stiffeners is used for a blindrequiring drawstrings, a series of hooks 92 may be attached to thestiffener 90 for the drawstring to go through, where the number of hooksvaries according to the design of the blind.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and includes both combinations andsubcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well asvariations and modifications thereof which would occur to personsskilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

1. A fabric for use as a lining material, wherein said fabric is wovenfrom warp and weft strands, comprising: at least one regular section inwhich the warp strands are woven together; and, at least one pocketsection in which the warp strands are divided into at least two groups,wherein each group of warp strands is woven separately.
 2. A fabric foruse as a lining material according to claim 1, further comprising: atleast one stiffener located within said pocket section.
 3. A fabric foruse as a lining material according to claim 1, in use as a liningmaterial.
 4. A fabric according to claim 1, further comprising: at leastone loop woven on said pocket section, and having drawstrings associatedwith said loops.
 5. A fabric for use as a lining material according toclaim 2, wherein said stiffener is removably located within said pocketsection.
 6. The woven fabric of claim 1, wherein; at least one closedshape defined by stitching on one layer of said pocket section, suchthat said closed shape is cuttable without degrading the integrity ofsaid fabric.
 7. A woven fabric according to claim 6, further comprising:more than one closed shape defined by stitching on at least one layer ofsaid pocket section, wherein said closed shapes are operable to provideplaces of insertion of stiffeners into said pocket section.
 8. A wovenfabric according to claim 6, further comprising: more than onestiffener, insertable into said pocket through openings cut in saidclosed shapes.
 9. A woven fabric according to claim 8, the fabric beingbendable at least one of the intersections between adjacent stiffeners.10. A woven fabric according to claim 9, in use as a window covering.11. A woven fabric according to claim 7, having two lengthwise edges,and wherein said pocket is sealed on both lengthwise edges of the wovenfabric.
 12. The woven fabric of claim 1, comprising at least onestiffening member attached thereto by hook and loop fastener, thefastener having a first element associated with said fabric and a secondelement associated with said stiffening member.
 13. A method of forminga lining material, comprising the steps of: weaving a fabric from warpand weft strands; separating a segment of the warp into at least twogroups of warp strands; continuing the fabric by weaving each group ofwarp strands separately for a predetermined length; recombining thegroups of warp strands into a single warp; and, continuing to weave thefabric, thereby forming a pocket in said fabric.
 14. A method of forminga stiffened fabric, comprising the steps of: aligning a stiffeningmember, which stiffening member has a hook and loop fastener elementthereon, across a fabric, which fabric has at least one segment of asecond side of a hook and loop fastener element thereon; and, pressingthe stiffening member to the fabric so that the hook and loop fastenersadhere, thereby attaching the stiffening member to the fabric.